Who Made Who - AC/DC

Learn to Play "Who Made Who" by AC/DC - Note-for-Note Guitar Lesson

AC/DC’s Who Made Who is an electrifying rock anthem packed with iconic guitar work that exemplifies the band’s signature sound. Originally released as the title track of the 1986 Who Made Who album, this song features a powerful blend of driving rhythms, melodic lead lines, and dynamic phrasing. This LickLibrary guitar lesson will guide you through the essential techniques used in the song, helping you capture the magic of Angus Young’s legendary playing style. Danny Gill breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

The Guitarists Behind "Who Made Who"

AC/DC’s lead guitarist, Angus Young, is widely celebrated for his raw, blues-infused rock style, blistering solos, and infectious riffs. His ability to create memorable hooks and solos with a combination of precision, aggression, and groove has made him one of the most influential guitarists in rock history.

Rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young, Angus’ older brother, was the backbone of AC/DC’s sound. His ability to craft tight, punchy, and rock-solid rhythm parts was unparalleled, providing the foundation that allowed Angus’ leads to shine. Together, the Young brothers shaped the landscape of hard rock with their straightforward yet highly effective guitar interplay.

Key Guitar Techniques Covered in This Lesson

Power Chords

A staple of AC/DC’s sound, power chords provide the backbone of the song’s rhythm section. These simple yet powerful two-note chord shapes create a strong, driving sound that cuts through the mix. Learning power chords helps improve your hand strength, chord transitions, and overall rhythm playing, making them essential for any aspiring rock guitarist.

Palm Muting

Palm muting is heavily utilised in "Who Made Who" to add percussive dynamics to the main riff. This technique involves lightly resting the palm on the strings near the bridge to create a tighter, punchier tone. Mastering palm muting will enhance your rhythmic control and articulation, allowing you to create a more aggressive and defined guitar tone.

Alternate Picking

To maintain the song’s driving energy, alternate picking is used in both the rhythm and lead sections. This technique involves alternating downstrokes and upstrokes to achieve a smoother, faster picking motion. Developing strong alternate picking skills helps with speed, precision, and efficiency, making it an essential skill for rock and metal guitarists.

String Bending

Angus Young’s expressive soloing style is highlighted by string bending, which adds emotion and vocal-like phrasing to his leads. By pushing the string up or down, you can achieve smooth, expressive note transitions and enhance your lead guitar phrasing. This technique is crucial for achieving that signature blues-infused rock tone.

Slides

Slides are frequently used in Angus Young’s solos to create fluid movement between notes. This technique adds a smooth, legato quality to phrases, allowing for better note articulation and more dynamic expression in lead playing. Practicing slides will help with finger accuracy and control while making solos sound more natural and connected.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These legato techniques help create smooth, connected phrases without the need for excessive picking. Hammer-ons allow you to play notes by tapping onto the fretboard with your fingers, while pull-offs create descending fluidity. These skills are vital for speed, dexterity, and dynamic control in lead guitar playing.

Pick Slides

A signature move in rock and hard rock, pick slides create a dramatic, screeching effect by dragging the pick along the strings. This technique adds energy and excitement to transitions and builds tension in a song’s structure.

Syncopated Rhythms

The rhythm guitar in "Who Made Who" utilises syncopated rhythms, which emphasize offbeats to create a groove-heavy feel. Mastering this technique improves timing, groove, and musical feel, making rhythm parts sound more dynamic and engaging.

Guitar Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Power Chords
• Palm Muting
• Alternate Picking
• String Bending
• Slides
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Pick Slides
• Syncopated Rhythms

By learning the techniques in Who Made Who, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the classic AC/DC sound while improving essential guitar skills that can be applied across multiple rock and blues styles. Get ready to plug in, crank up the amp, and rock out with this LickLibrary lesson!